Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Bob Hope 39-55 41-03-11 (103) Guest - Dizzy Dean
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Featured Guest: Dizzy Dean (Hall of Fame Pitcher)

Episode Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the classic Bob Hope Pepsodent Show, originally broadcast on March 11, 1941, with baseball legend Dizzy Dean as a special guest. Full of rapid-fire jokes, signature Hope wit, and musical interludes, the show blends topical humor (income tax, California weather), good-natured banter, and a nostalgic look at baseball stars. The episode spotlights the camaraderie and entertainment from the Golden Age of Radio.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Opening Monologue: Bob Hope’s Satirical Humor (03:00 – 10:00)

• Taxes and Deductions:
  Bob Hope jokes about the then-current tax season and the challenge of filling out income tax returns:

  “I went down and paid my tax the other day without a single complaint, without a whimper, and in two more days the novocaine should all wear off.” — Bob Hope (04:30)

• Weather and California Life:
  Hope riffs on California’s unique climate and local quirks:

  “The sun has been shining beautifully for a whole week now and I've got a wonderful tan on my face. That's the part above the water line.” — Bob Hope (06:10) “Where else can you stand in the street, look up and see snow covered mountains and have your pocket picked at the same time?” — Bob Hope (08:00)

2. Financial Advice Skit & Pepsodent Antiseptic Promotion (10:10 – 13:45)

• Rainy Day Savings Bit:
  Hope banters with a Rainy Day Savings Association “representative” about saving for a rainy day and being “a drip.”

  • Playful pokes at saving and penny-pinching.

• Pepsodent Product Plug:
  Announcer touts how Pepsodent antiseptic is both effective and economical, emphasizing its germ-killing ability when diluted, appealing to budget-conscious 1940s listeners.

3. Catalina Island Vacation Comedy (14:00 – 18:30)

• Bill Goodman Joins In:
  Bob Hope and Goodman riff about a supposed trip to Catalina Island, trading barbs about swimwear, sunbathing, and “the view.”

  “If girls’ bathing suits get any smaller, they'll have to go in the water.” — Bill Goodman (15:40)
  “He's the only man I ever saw swim out of his bathing suit without touching the sides.” — Bob Hope on Skinny Ennis (17:00)

4. Dizzy Dean Guest Segment & Baseball Jokes (19:00 – 28:30)

Dizzy Dean’s Introduction (19:00)

• Hope welcomes Dean as “one of baseball’s outstanding pitchers and personalities.”

• Dean jokes about his nickname and marital finances:

  “It’s only my bullpen name… Oh, that’s Mrs. Dizzy Dean.” — Dizzy Dean (19:45)

• Banter About Sponsors:

  “You with Mr. Wrigley and me with Pepsodent. We're both living off gums, aren't we?” — Bob Hope (20:50)

• Training and Spring Camp:
  Dean quips about being one of the “little green men” for Wrigley gum in the off-season. (21:15)

• Anecdotes & Slapstick:

  • Hope tries to show off baseball knowledge; gets gently ribbed by Dean.
  • Hope tells of “sliding from base to base” and having to double back “for [his] pants.” (23:10)

• Hollywood & Romance:

  “Is there anything I can do for you?” — Bob Hope
  “There sure is, Bob. I’d really like to meet Hedy Lamarr.” — Dizzy Dean (24:55)
  Hope jokes, “Take a train to Kansas City, Diz. The line starts there.”

• Strength Competition:
  Hope and Dean compare handshakes:

  “Now, will you put it in my pocket for me?” — Bob Hope (26:20)

Quote Highlight:

“You know, Diz, you'd be pretty popular with the girls if you were as big and strong as I am. Are you kidding? Let's shake hands and see…” — Hope & Dean (25:40)

5. Musical & Comedy Interludes (28:30 – 36:50)

• Musical Number: “Twist of the Wrist” performed by Skinny Ennis and group.
• Comedic Ballad:
  • “Alexander the Swoose,” a comic story-song about a half-swan, half-goose, featuring the cast swapping puns about animal heritage.
  • Professor Colonna and the cast join in the fun, mixing wordplay with musical gags.

6. Baseball Locker Room Skit (36:55 – 45:00)

• A radio play featuring Hope trying to sign Dizzy Dean to his team, weaving in trademark Hope satire about showbiz contracts:

  “There’s nothing wrong with that contract. I copied it right from the one Paramount gave me.” — Bob Hope (38:00)
  Dean retorts, “That’s what I don’t like about it. Why should I have to carry out the garbage?”

• Comedic threats about recruiting Babe Ruth, talking to Professor Colonna (absurdist comic interlude about teaching a bear to play baseball).

• Jokes about ballplayers with extra limbs (two heads, four arms, etc.) and “Hope’s Pepsodent Polecats.”

7. Finale & Closing Banter (45:01 – 50:00)

• Hope gives a comic update on the baseball game, forfeiting after a slapstick mishap.
• Girls from the cast flirt with Dean, referencing “playing bass.” Hope’s team can’t win, so he offers Dean a huge contract (to comic effect).
• Dean bargains for “$50,000 and 10% of the gate on weekdays and 15% on Sundays.”
  Hope struggles to total it up, joking with a (dummy) adding machine.

“Here goes. I press the button on the adding machine. Anybody got a pencil?” — Bob Hope (49:30)

• Preview of Next Week: Hope plugs that Bing Crosby (“the groaner”) will guest star, setting up further comic adventures.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taxes:

  “This is the time of the year we all try hard to make deductions on our income tax. It’s like trying to tilt a pinball machine with Morgenthau sitting on the end of it.” — Bob Hope (04:00)

• On Los Angeles:

  “This is the only part of the country where you can pick water lilies and sit on the roof at the same time.” — Bob Hope (06:45)

• On Swim Fashions:

  “Was that a bathing suit or a bet you had on?” — Bob Hope to Bill Goodman (15:55)

• On Dizzy Dean’s Nickname:

  “It’s only my bullpen name… Oh, that’s Mrs. Dizzy Dean.” — Dizzy Dean (19:45)

• Hollywood Wolves:

  “I'm a wolf.” — Dizzy Dean, on learning the term for men “looking at pretty girls” in Hollywood (25:15)

• Contractual Gags:

  “Why should I have to carry out the garbage? I don’t carry out the garbage at Paramount. My nose turns up like this.” — Dizzy Dean (38:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – 10:00: Bob Hope’s monologue (taxes, California jokes)
• 10:10 – 13:45: Savings skit & Pepsodent promotion
• 14:00 – 18:30: Catalina vacation banter with Bill Goodman
• 19:00 – 28:30: Dizzy Dean interview & baseball humor
• 28:30 – 36:50: Musical interludes and “Alexander the Swoose”
• 36:55 – 45:00: Baseball locker room skit; contract negotiations
• 45:01 – 50:00: Grand finale, jokes about Bing Crosby's upcoming appearance

Tone and Style Notes

• The episode is characterized by rapid back-and-forth banter, puns, topical references, and a light, irreverent tone.
• Bob Hope leads with self-deprecating humor and keeps guests and cast both in on the joke and occasionally the target.
• Musical numbers—typical of the era's variety shows—break up the sketches.

For Listeners:
This is an excellent example of period radio entertainment: breezy, topical, self-aware, and rich with playful celebrity chemistry, especially between Bob Hope and Dizzy Dean. Even without a love of baseball, the wit and pace remain timeless, offering a vivid time capsule of 1940s American humor and showbiz radio.